2. It is clarified that the son of ECHS member suffering from any permanent disability of any kind (physical/mental) subject to disability under Person with Disability (PWD) Act - 1995 being 40% or higher is eligible for ECHS benefits irrespective of age limit and irrespective of the fact that he is married or not. The person should not be in a condition to earn his livelihood as stipulated.

2. The matter has been examined. It is seen that the DGL proposes to grant ECHS benefits to son of an Armed Forces Personnel, who is suffering from any disorder or disability of mind or is physically crippled or disabled so as to render him unable to earn livelihood and has been granted family pension for life even after his marriage and also even after attaining the age of 25 years, subject to fulfillment of other prescribed conditions as hitherto fore.

3. The language of the DGL is identical to the language used by Ministry of Defence, Deptt. of ESW in para 2 of its order No.02(03)/2010-D(Pen/Policy) dated 17-1-2013.

4. According to MOD letter No.18(01)/2011/US(WE)/ dated 31-10-2012, the rule for dependents of ECHS members would be the same as applicable in CGHS.

5, Further OM No.4-24/96-C&P/CGHS(P) dated 31-5-2007 clearly provides that a CGHS beneficiary having a son suffering from any permanent disability of any kind (physical or mental) would be eligible for CGHS medical facilities irrespective of the age limit of 25 years. A careful reading of the same order also indicates clearly that this category of dependent sons would be eligible for CGHS facility irrespective of getting married or remaining unmarried.

6. The amount of disability in which case the dependent son will be eligible for CGHS benefits has been decided at 40% or more of one or more disability as defined in section 2(i) of Persons with Disabilities (equal opportunities Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act 1995 and clause (j) of Section 2 of National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disability Act 1999 provided the dependent son are financially dependent on the CGHS members.

7. From the above it is clear that as per existing rules the son of ECHS member suffering from any permanent disability of any kind (physical/mental) subject to disability being 40% or higher in terms of the relevant Acts mentioned above is eligible for ECHS benefit irrespective of age limit and irrespective of the fact that he is married or not.

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8. Hence there is no need for any further order as proposed in the DGL.

9. It is stated that the order of the Department No. 2(03)/2010 D(Pen/Policy) dated 17-01-2013 relates to grant of pension. These norms cannot be made applicable mutatis-Mutandis to medical matters. For medical matters we need to go by the eligibility criteria framed by CGHS.

10. In case CO, ECHS desires that CGHS should amend its orders in line with the DGL now proposed by them. CGHS may be approached with the suggestion.

It is clarified that the son of ECHS member suffering from any permanent disability of any kind (physical/mental) is eligible for ECHS benefits irrespective of age limit and irrespective of the fact that he is married or not.